Estonian president to decorate 113 persons on Independence Day eve

Photo: Peeter Langovits / Postimees

Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid has signed the decision to decorate 113 persons for services to Estonia on the eve of the country's 99th Independence Day celebration.

"Decorations are a recognition of Estonian people and our supporters in foreign countries for their determination in their activities and loyalty to the principles on which the present-day Estonia relies on -- on openness and democracy, knowledge and entrepreneurship, caring and noticing," Kaljulaid wrote in the decision to award the decorations.

Estonia's previous prime minister Taavi Roivas is to be decorated with the Order of the National Coat of Arms, 2nd Class.

Six persons are to be decorated with the Order of the White Star, 3rd Class, 27 people with 4th Class, and 37 with 5th Class. In addition, three people will receive the Medal Class order.

Order of the Estonian Red Cross is to be given to 18 people.

Chief of staff at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), Gen. Werner Freers, is to receive the Order of the Cross of the Eagle, 1st Class, and Vice Adm. Arnaud Coustilliere, head of the French General Staff's Cyber Defense Unit, will receive the 3rd Class order, while one person is to be decorated with 4th Class with swords, four people with 4th Class, one person with Silver Cross and two people with Iron Cross.

U.S. diplomat and NATO deputy secretary general Alexander Vershbow is to receive the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, 2nd Class. Four persons are to receive the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, 3rd Class, while four people are to be awarded the 4th Class order and two people the 5th Class order.

The head of state will hand over the decorations on February 23.